Actually, I'm going to amend my answer ... I think something with curves might be the way to go here. Either one of these might look quite nice -- somewhat simple, but with a decidedly traditional feel:

You have no idea how many old light fixtures I have rehabbed over the years! They can be taken apart and painted, gilded , sprayed , whatever! Anyway, here are some other ideas...

Lighting is fairly easy to redo so if it fits the space and it’s just the finish that offends take it apart and spray it! A couple redos...

@lynartist thank you so much!!

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/kichler-vara-25-and-three-quarter-inchw-distressed-black-9-light-chandelier__42m22.html

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/feiss-ethan-26-inchw-forged-iron-1-tier-8-light-chandelier__v3843.html

This one is bigger than it looks and may bee too wide for your space at 37".

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/aeon-37-inch-wide-carbide-black-8-light-chandelier__44x88.html

Would an orb style work?

@oaktonmom I would LOVE an orb style! My husband fought me about it and so here we are...lol

@cawaps love these!

Think outside the box. Maybe have no chandelier. Instead, table lamps in the lower hall, and wall sconces in the upper hall. Or torcheres. If you can pull that off, the quality of light will be less harsh, warmer and more welcoming. Good luck finding the right solution for you.

I agree with Marco on doing something entirely different! For example, the house I grew up in had basically the same staircase/upper hallway/foyer layout as your house, but the light (it was a bell jar-type, as I recal, with etched glass) lwas hanging from the first-floor ceiling with nothing in the stairwell “shaft.”

I hope it has been said but too many responses to dig through. ANY and EVERY chandy can have its wiring and chain lengthened. No way should that ever inhibit you!!! It's a pretty simple DIY.

@Jan Moyer The spindles and banister are absolutely to code. We just bought the house and had everything inspected. Appreciate the concern.

I love our dining room and have no concerns about how it looks and frankly wasn’t asking. Thanks though!

Here’s one of my favorite “new” bell jar designs:

“Hampton” large bell jar ceiling light

And here a few very “loose” inspiration pics:

Yes, I realize you did not ask. Were I to replace anything, however, ( and I totally agree the room is lovely with pretty curves and color! )........there are ways to get both curves and straight lines WITH a feel kept intact. Or even add some sparkle. That's suggestion only.

The only thing I can suggest is what to stay away from (speaking from experience) glass or shades that are open on the top. Cleaning light fixtures that are high is a nightmare

I went through something similar (although a smaller and enclosed) staircase so the spindles were less of an issue. It's SOOOO hard to visualize the end result - I spent forever deciding and photoshopping, etc. I also loved the orb but the sizes didn't work for me.

In your case, I might avoid the squared-off lantern look. If the orb isn't an option, I think you want more height than width and personally while I like the bell lanterns, the dust potential seems problematic in a spot like this. Here are a couple of additional ideas that might mesh well with your lovely dining room:

PB Octavia (on sale!)

Ballard Katherine:

Hi , L Stin. I think a fixture something like this is more in tune , both in style and color with the rest of your lovely decor. Since you have a lot of railing, with all those linear ,thin lines, I feel a light with MORE SOLID MASS would not fight so much with the railing. I don’t think the foyer fixture needs to match the finish of other lighting in the home as much as it needs to complement the other elements in the foyer. I think this would look beautiful there. Its “ winter gold “ finish is neither a bright yellow gold, nor a silver- so it comes across as neutral and calming, as far as fitting in with existing elements and what appears to be your style. The fabric shades won’t scream “clean me “ like glass would. It’s size is substantial and it comes with a 10’ chain which you can adjust. (I thought it a great idea, mentioned by another contributor, to not hang the fixture so level with the banister, but a little above or below.) The overall shape will be more rounded and curvy, but still not overly ornate or fussy. Best of luck finding something you really like

This might provide a better visual side by side. From ( Lampsplus )

Here are a variety of two story staircases with chandeliers. If you chandelier looks wrong to you, what looks right? Are you sure it's not just that the light is not hung parallel to the staircase?

@ beverFLADeziner those inspiration pictures were exactly what I was going for. They look so modern and light. What I feel like I got was a dark, bulky medieval light fixture. I think the ball on the top bothers me the most. You’re right though, I’ll try to turn it and see if it helps!

Is the fixture hung higher than the prior fixture?

@tqtqtbw No, same spot.

Less than $187

https://www.destinationlighting.com/item/lantern-pendant-light-4-lt-33-inch-tall-bronze/663938

I just recently installed a foyer fixture. It was so hard for me to visualize what it would look like. I knew I didn't want anything with glass that needed to be cleaned and I didn't want an orb shape or anything too linear. I felt I needed some curves to balance out the railings. I finally decided on this one. Mine will not be viewed from above as I live in a raised ranch. You want something that looks nice when viewed from the top floor.

I think once I get my art on the wall I will be much happier with this space. It looks small in this picture but it's pretty large.

That’s lovely Rory! I love the gold and black together; it’s really sharp!

I just want to tell you, I ADORE your dining room light fixture. I tend to go with unround lol. I love a square/rectangle simple vibe. Jan would probably hate my home. Even the one side table that MIGHT be considered round is actually a hexagon shape lol. No round lampshades, no soft drapes, all very linear. Go with what YOU like/love! The right fixture will eventually make herself known (no idea why the fixture is a her, it just seems like a her sounds right lol).

@beverlyFLADeziner that chandelier is beautiful! It does look very similar to what I have, I think if I make a switch, I’ll have to do something fairly different or my husband might kill me :)

@rory, sw, pa that is gorgeous!

@Louise McCarthy thank you so much for saying that! I’m sure your house is beautiful. I was pretty caught off guard about the comment considering I wasn’t asking about THAT light!

My daughter has this in her entry. Everyone that comes to her house comments on it. It also casts an interesting light on the ceiling, She also has a linear chandelier in her dining room similar to yours.

@oaktonmom I love that!!

Could it be that the light is hanging too high? Would it look better if it was right over the table? Visually, it’s competing with the rails and they do not go together stylistically at all. I agree the spindles look very thin and far apart, but I have no idea what qualifies as code except that a small child should not be able to stick their head through. You may need a light that has a completely different structure so it doesn;t get compared against the skinny spindles, something either like a glass globe or something strappy maybe.

@ J Williams I promise the spindles are to code, it must be the pictures. We just bought the house in July and had them checked out. We have a small child and she definitely cannot fit her head through there lol

I’m sure it’s fine, but the skinny spindles compete visually with the wiry light fixture. Plus stylistically they seem to clash, not sure if it’s the wood tone, the white...

The wood tone distracts me and I think a rounded chandelier would be better in the space.

@J Williams what would you suggest?

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/cwi-lighting-glow-39-inch-10-light-chandelier-with-black-finish/1001136202

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/cwi-lighting-ganges-25-inch-6-light-chandelier-with-black-finish/1001135885

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/cwi-lighting-dynamic-16-inch-1-light-chandelier-with-black-finish/1001136247

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/cwi-lighting-glass-16-inch-4-light-chandelier-with-transparent-shade/1001135351

https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20296109/

Here are some ”outside of box” possibilities, I do like the others suggestions.

https://www.rona.ca/en/intuiv-1-light-pendant-light-matte-black-33785359

https://www.rona.ca/en/pendant-2-lights-adjustable-height-chrome-08325142

https://www.rona.ca/en/birk-1-light-pendant-light-12-x-15-oiled-bronze-ipl454b01orb-05115728

https://www.rona.ca/en/bazz-single-chandelier-six-glass-shades-led-p17340cr-330031889

https://www.rona.ca/en/zuo-modern-daydream-pendant-light-gray-177x143-50209-330057245

J Williams, you can't just select any light fixture that catches your fancy and suggest it. She needs a tall narrow fixture that fits into the space she has in the stairwell, provides enough light and has the scale that is appropriate for the space.. Three of these are way too small.

I’m just trying to brainstorm, I realize it has to be an oversized light fixture. I’m not a professional designer.

For anyone still following, I took the suggestions and adjusted/squared the chandelier. It made a HUGE difference!

Yup! Looks very very nice :-)

I think you should be fine now;)!

I’m not a professional but your old fixture looks great. Also you can always get extra chain and wire for any lighting.
The fixture looks like it’s hung a little too high. Maybe it’s just the pic

@shannon Kuithe old fixture wasn’t my style and it’s trash now.

The square chandelier looks perfectly fine now that it's aligned with the railing and walls. Not medeival at all. So you've effectively gained points with your husband. Now ask him to help you paint the banister black.

That's great! You can drive yourself crazy over these things. Sometimes it just takes a little tweak. Yay and Whew!!!!

Lisaam lol!